Which branch of the Department of Homeland Security does the U.S. Border Patrol belong to?

The U.S. Border Patrol is part of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency, which operates under the Department of Homeland Security. CBP is primarily responsible for securing the borders of the United States and carrying out enforcement missions related to immigration, customs, and agriculture. Within CBP, the U.S. Border Patrol focuses specifically on preventing illegal immigration and smuggling activities across the U.S. borders.

Understanding this structure is crucial because it highlights the role of the Border Patrol in the broader context of national security and immigration enforcement. Other agencies listed, such as ICE and USCIS, have different primary functions, such as immigration enforcement and naturalization processes, rather than the specific border enforcement duties assigned to the Border Patrol under CBP.